Originally from the East of Sydney, Michelle Gysberts has been based in New York for the last 5 years and here she’s rounding up ten things Aussie Expats living in the USA find amusing when they return for Vacation aka Holiday!
1. When you take an UBER ride in Australia you better sit in the front seat otherwise the driver thinks you are well above yourself. (You always sit in the back when you are travelling by yourself in the USA.)
2. You don’t get a glass of water automatically when you sit down for a meal in a restaurant. (Good Australian water conservation practice perhaps?)
3. Only one credit card allowed for payment at a restaurant. In the USA you can present multiple cards in many instances, plus Australians are very thorough at checking your ID and signature when paying. (It was mentioned that sometimes the scrutiny is a little too harsh making you feel like a fraud.)
4. The amount on your restaurant check is final no additional tax and no tip – hooray! (Order another round!)
American supermarkets don’t seem to have the same amount of fresh produce as the Australian supermarkets.
5. Dining in restaurants is challenging, we have been spoiled in the USA that they will accommodate, substitutions, and alterations but in Australia it is predominantly a flat out NO! (Far more respectful to the Chef.)
6. Level of service in restaurants is still questionable in comparison to what you receive in USA across the board.
7. Portion sizes – a welcomed sight by the waistline when one returns to Australia. You actually get to finish your meal in Australia.
Portion sizes tend to be a slightly bigger in the USA compared to Australia.
8, Finally bread with no sugar in it! (Can we share the recipe with Americans please ……oh that’s right it is as simple as you don’t need sugar in this.)
9. No free pour in bars! It costs a lot more to get a little buzzed in Australia. In USA the nicer you are to the barman the more generous the pour, which negatively equates to – the greater the hangover. (Where’s that Berroca?)
10. Supermarket shopping – four rows of fresh produce a whopping four rows! Supermarket shopping in Australia is like walking through the Garden of Eden.